Election 2016

I don't usually get political on this blog. When I do, it's generally embarrassing. Here I go, anyway.

I'll try to keep my thoughts on this brief - I have a lot of them, but much of what I would say has already been said by others. A lot of Americans, myself included (and, I think, a lot of folks from other countries included, as well), have been following this United States election cycle very closely. The choice, as it stands, is clear - a choice between backwards white supremacy and fascism, or the most progressive platform run by any candidate ever in the history of this country.

I am #withHer, plain and simple. I have already cast my vote, having voted by absentee ballot last month. Hillary Clinton is pro-LGBTQA+, supports a reformed and nuanced approach to mental health, supports autistic people and those with other neurodivergences, supports women's rights to health care and to make their own reproductive choices, and has spent decades working across party lines to create compromise and make change.

Tonight, I felt called to action. I don't usually share my spells when they're in progress, but tonight, I would like to.

If you, like me, know how critical it is that Hillary Clinton be the next POTUS, then please, take a second to lend your thoughts to this little spell.

And if you want to do something similar for yourself, I just traced a map of the US (in blue!), and inside it, wrote "Madame President Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton, 2016-2020". I then surrounded it with several stones - Copper in the center, to conduct energy and charge the spell, Spirit Quartz to draw people together in harmony towards a cause, and then Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite, Turquoise, and Emerald to activate all those powers of communication that get people to lend their voice and say, "Today, I am going to vote".

November 17th, 2013

Wow, it's been a month since I posted last. Yikes! I have an excuse, I swear, and hope everyone had a great Samhain - I know I did. My school's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream opened on the 6th, and between that and school and work obligations, it's been a little crazy. Here, have a picture:

That's me on the right, playing Puck. (Guess who made the trees, too, among other things.)
When I heard we were doing Midsummer, I first thought "I'm going to have to petition the fairies on this one, aren't I?". I did, and I guess they liked me, because the whole production came off really well even though the rehearsal process was beyond trying sometimes. I also blessed the stage with holy water and kept a pouch of stones with me, all associated with strength in speaking and acting and appropriately charged.
I was excited to learn that a couple of my castmates, all new this year, are Pagan or similarly interested, so I was able to have some good discussions about my beliefs. I love being around people I can connect with, and my theatre friends are that on a multitude of levels.

August 11th, 2013

Lapis Lazuli

Physical Characteristics: Lapis Lazuli is a stone containing Lazurite, Calcite, Sodalite, and Pyrite.

In Nature: This conglomeration forms when weathered rock undergoes a chemical transformation to become Lazurite, an essential component of Lapis Lazuli. The Lazurite must then bond with Calcite and Sodalite to become the final stone. The presence of Pyrite is not required, but makes a beautiful and unique element.

Chemical Composition: (Na, Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S, SO4, Cl)1-2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 5.5 (middle)

Can be Found: Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, Siberia, Angola, Argentina, Burma, Pakistan, Canada, India, the United States

Healing Properties*: This stone balances the function of the thyroid gland while strengthening the neck and vocal cords. Use it to soothe sore throats and inflammation of the neck and head.

Magickal Properties: Lapis Lazuli enhances one's awareness, insight, and intellect. It imparts ancient wisdom to its bearer, bringing with it peacefulness, self-acceptance, and objectivity. Lapis expands one's tendency toward leadership while lending aid in legal matters. The stone was carried by Egyptian judges and was dedicated to Ma'at, Goddess of Truth. Use during a court case when you need the truth to come out. Lapis Lazuli shields its bearer from psychic attack, relieves insomnia, and releases anxiety. As an elixir, the stone aligns the energy bodies. Lapis Lazuli has a very high vibration - it is a stone of Deity, and will encourage its bearer to raise his/her own vibratory level to match it. Finally, Lapis Lazuli is a draw for both love and fidelity.

Chakra Association: Fifth (Throat) chakra

Element: Water, Air

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus, Jupiter

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

March 23rd, 2013

I feel like I ought to get a medal for being so busy all the time! Wednesday was my birthday (I'm 17 now - I'm so old!), I had rehearsal for the musical and work on Thursday, I had rehearsal until almost 10:00 last night, and I had rehearsal from 8:00 to 3:00 today. I love Les Miserables, and I love all my cast-mates, so I enjoy all that time I put into it, but now that I don't have practice for the rest of the day or tomorrow, I hardly know what to do with myself. I hadn't even had a chance to think about performing an Ostara ritual, let alone actually getting around to doing one, so I think that's going to be on tonight's schedule. I also have some laundry to do, I need to clean my room... It's never ending.

If I have a chance, I'm going to knit a pouch that I can carry my new Moonstone, and maybe my Sodalite, in for our performance nights. Both are great choices for actors to stimulate creativity and the Throat Chakra. Also, perhaps on Monday, I want to officially consecrate the auditorium and our set to Dionysus, Greek god of theatre. I'll likely just do something basic - a bit of salt water sprinkled around with a simple invocation, and maybe a little food offering if I can come up with some grapes or other appropriate victuals. It's getting to the point where I'm simultaneously excited and nervous. I'm even having dreams about it. All I can say is that I hope everyone loves the show!

August 10th, 2012

There's honestly not a lot going on here today, so I'll skip the usual introduction and just get on with it. I shall be discussing Sodalite today, this being one of the seven stones I purchased at the Faery Fest.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sodalite

Physical Characteristics: Sodalite is a stone with a similar appearance to Lapis Lazuli, although it lacks the sparkles of pyrite. Typically, Sodalite is a mottled blend of dark and light blues, mixed with streaks of white.

In Nature: Found as vein fillings in plutonic rocks. Associated with other minerals common to undersaturated environments, such as leucite, cancrinite, and natrolite.

Chemical Composition: Na4Al3Si3O12Cl (Sodium Aluminium Silicate Chloride)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 5.5 - 6 (middle)

Can be Found: Greenland, Canada, the USA, British Columbia, Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, Romania, and Burma

Healing Properties*: Carried constantly on one's person, Sodalite reduces blood pressure. It further calms the thyroid gland, the nervous system, and all glandular functions, while heightening metabolism.

Magickal Properties: Sodalite is the stone of artists, as it inspires as it protects. Sodalite brings inner calm, and ought to be used throughout the house. It harmonizes the conscious and subconscious minds, and stimulates thought. It is wonderful for healing breaches in communication, and is a stone of truth. It increases intelligence, knowledge, and learning, and balances the logical mind with the spiritual. The stone reduces stress and prolongs physical endurance. Particularly when used with Lapis Lazuli or Clear Quartz, Sodalite is excellent for improving one's ability to meditate and receive psychic information. It can be used in grounding excess energy, as well as in improving self-esteem.

Chakra Association: Sodalite is most effective when used with the Second, or Sacral Chakra, the Fifth, or Throat Chakra, and the Sixth, or Third Eye Chakra.

Element: Air, Water

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!